Police and Security: Career and Education Opportunities in Illinois

Police and Security:
Police and Security professionals work to protect people and property. Their work is aimed directly at the goals of preventing crime before it occurs, stopping it when it does, and uncovering who perpetrated it after the fact.

Illinois photo by Hary Han

Illinois has a population of 12,910,409, which has grown by 3.95% in the last 10 years. Nicknamed the "Land of Lincoln," its capital is Springfield, though its largest city is Chicago. In 2008, there were a total of 7,657,328 jobs in Illinois. The average annual income was $42,540 in 2008, up from $41,720 in 2007. The unemployment rate in Illinois was 10.1% in 2009, which has grown by 3.7% since the previous year. Roughly 26.1% of Illinois residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.

The top industries in Illinois include construction machinery merchant wholesalers, beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverage merchant wholesalers, and nonchocolate confectionery manufacturing. Notable tourist attractions include the Chicago Peregrine Release, the Dusable Museum of African American History, and the Chinatown Museum Foundation.

CITIES WITH Police and Security OPPORTUNITIES IN Illinois

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CAREERS WITHIN Police and Security

Chiefs of Police supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force. Chiefs of Police need to pay attention to ongoing situations and monitor them as they develop. They also need to listen well to others and take in their information and issues.

Criminal Investigators investigate alleged or suspected criminal violations of Federal, state, or local laws to determine if evidence is sufficient to recommend prosecution. Criminal Investigators need to evaluate and judge the efficacy of solutions. They also need to respond to the actions of other and coordinate activities with them.

Customs Inspectors investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations. Customs Inspectors need to listen well to others and take in their information and issues. They also need to speak clearly and communicate with others.

Police Officers conduct investigations to prevent crimes or solve criminal cases. Police Officers need to speak clearly and communicate with others. They also need to listen well to others and take in their information and issues.

Police Records Officers collect evidence at crime scenes, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases. Police Records Officers need to think through complex problems and develop a critical analysis of the situation and possible solutions. They also need to evaluate and judge the efficacy of solutions.

Policemen patrol assigned areas to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, and arrest violators. Policemen need to listen well to others and take in their information and issues. They also need to think through complex problems and develop a critical analysis of the situation and possible solutions.

Private Investigators detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment, or seek, examine, and compile information for client. Private Investigators need to think through complex problems and develop a critical analysis of the situation and possible solutions. They also need to manage their own time and the time of others.

Security Guards guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. Security Guards need to listen well to others and take in their information and issues. They also need to speak clearly and communicate with others.

Sheriffs enforce law and order in rural or unincorporated districts or serve legal processes of courts. Sheriffs need to note the reactions and responses of others in both work and social situations. They also need to talk through and persuade others when needed.